Rides for Sunday Jan 6

[RoadRaven]

Well, Down Under summer has begun and I learned a valuable lesson today.

I had a hard race yesterday, and today decided that going for a 50km very hilly ride (I climb up to 600metres above sea level twice - I must ask my son to work out the total climbing for me) was just the ticket.

So 50km on the flat in recovery mode would be a good thing. But I went in the middle of the day and watched the temp on my bike comp fluctuate between 30-38'C (thats approx 84-103'F). Most of the ride was accmopanied by a stiff sea breeze - only the last 10km of which were as a tail wind.

I went through 3 bottles of water thanks to the local school having a convenientap (some of it tipped over my head and neck as I got close to home - reminiscent of Landis in the infamous Stage 17).

But unlike Landis, my climbing was completely forgettable. On slopes that I would normally climb at 10-12kph, I was barely able to maintain 5kph.

I wasn't close to bonking - my nutrition was ok. But I was dripping sweat, guzzling water and my legs were like mud.

Note to self, choose to do 50km hilly rides at least 48 hours after racing and never in the heat of the day!

So... how did your Sundays go gals?

[makbike]

Woke to yet another dismal day in Kentucky - gray, gloomy and windy. However, the temps were in the mid-50's so I decided to battle the wind and ride. I logged 22.3 miles this morning and until I turned into the wind my average speed was a wonderful 16.8 mph in the end the strong headwind on the way home took its toll and I only average 16.1 for the day. I'm now sitting in in my warm house layering clothes for I'm freezing! Now I have to talk myself into loading the bike and heading into Louisville for the club's afternoon ride - I haven't convinced myself I want to fight the wind this afternoon - still have an hour to debate the issue.

Ride #2:

I did warm up enough so I decided to drive into Louisville to join the club for its 2:00 ride. I hooked up with a fast group and hung on as we made our way down River Road at a fast pace - 20 mph. A group of us formed a paceline and we worked well together as we made our way down River Road. It was a fast ride, not my fastest, but I felt good on my bike and there was a huge smile on my face. It was great to see my cycling buddies. We rode 22 miles and I averaged 16.3 mph - the wind was awful. I'm quickly discovering that my new bike does not handle the wind as well as my trusted "little blue bike - the Tank" There were times today that the crosswinds were moving me and the bike to the right or left - quite the experience.

[SouthernBelle]

We're having those same winds in Tennessee. The first part of my ride was straight into it. Bad, evil wind. I considered just bailing and going home. But then I turned off on a road where this dog lives who likes to run. With me. I've learned to only take this road in one direction so I don't run him toward the highway. Then I remembered I have my new camera. He was not a cooperative subject but I got one decent snap:



Then I turned off on the llama farm road. Snapped a couple of pics just because:





This camera is so much smaller than my old HP I'm going to have to think more about holding it still.

Finally got to the llama farm, but only one llama was in the front pasture and there was a large dog objecting to my presence.



S/he wouldn't come up to the fence.

[mimitabby]

Nice pictures, Southern Belle! you even got the dog!

we rode 18 miles. The temps varied from 38-42 degrees. There was a brief rainless window and even though it was cold, we went for it.

Went from home to Peet's deli and back. Raleighdon led the way and threw in some hills just for fun. 16% grade on the steepest one.

[Mr. Bloom]

Silver and I joined three other Tri-Team members for what turned out to be much harder than we expected.

Five riders, three flats, 20 to 30 mph winds from the south. Fortunately, temp was 60 and the rain held off

I was at 45.8 miles with just under 2,492 feet of climbing!

I would have normally thought it impossible that I would have 65 miles in the first weekend of January in Indiana.

[SouthernBelle]

I would have normally thought it impossible that I would have 65 miles in the first weekend of January in Indiana.

We're having the same weather here. Wonder if we will have to pay for it later.